How Burj Sheikh Rashid Was Built: Artists Use Rare Photos, AI to Recreate Dubai’s First Skyscraper

Before the skyline was dominated by glittering towers and architectural marvels, one structure stood as a symbol of Dubai’s ambition — the Burj Sheikh Rashid, also known as the Dubai World Trade Centre. Completed in 1979, it was the city’s first skyscraper and a beacon of modernity for the region.

Now, more than four decades later, this iconic building is being brought back into focus through a unique fusion of art, technology, and memory.

Honoring an Icon: Burj Rashid Exhibition at Al Safa

As part of the 45th anniversary of the tower's inauguration, Dubai Culture has launched the Burj Rashid Exhibition at the Al Safa Art and Design Library, uniting nearly 30 artists to reinterpret the tower in deeply personal and imaginative ways. The initiative is part of the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy and supported by the Sikka Platform.

The exhibition combines rare archival photos with cutting-edge AI and tactile artwork, offering visitors an immersive journey through the history and emotional legacy of the building that once stood alone in the desert.

Rebuilding the Past with Artificial Intelligence

Among the standout contributors are Dr Ahmad AlAttar, founder of REALIITY, and Mohamad Al Hamadi, who used artificial intelligence to create a time-lapse video of the Burj Sheikh Rashid’s construction — something that was never captured during its actual build.

“We’ve seen time-lapse videos of the Burj Khalifa, but not this. So we decided to build it using AI,” said Dr Ahmad.

Using rare photographs — including planning meetings with Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum — the team employed four AI layers: image expansion, colorization, upscaling, and animation. The result is a powerful, silent video that chronicles the tower’s journey from blueprint to completion.

“It’s just visuals — no sound — but it captures the essence of that era and the ambition behind the structure,” said AlAttar.

Stitching Memory into Art

While some artists focused on digital recreations, others used traditional methods to explore personal and collective memory.

Sara Al Khayyal, an Emirati artist, crafted a thought-provoking piece using embroidered thread on mesh, overlaid with engraved acrylic. Her work draws inspiration from the intricate geometry of the tower’s façade — patterns that many overlook.

“I never saw the building being constructed, but it was always there,” said Sara. “I wanted to explore how we connect with something we didn’t directly experience.”

Her layered artwork, slightly misaligned by design, reflects how memories evolve — from vivid clarity to softened blur — and invites viewers to see the past not as a perfect picture, but a felt experience.

A Journey Through Time

The Burj Rashid Exhibition is more than a celebration of architecture; it is a powerful reminder of Dubai’s roots and how a single tower shaped a city’s aspirations. The exhibition encourages visitors, whether long-time residents or newcomers, to engage with the emotional and historical narrative of the tower.

Running until May 2 at the Al Safa Art and Design Library, the event offers a rare opportunity to witness the intersection of heritage, art, and innovation.